In a move that's breaking new ground in the sports industry, the Portland Pickles Minor League baseball team has become the first in the U.S. to offer THC-infused drinks for sale at their games. Starting June 18, fans attending games at Walker Stadium can purchase these cannabis-based products, made available through an exclusive partnership with Cycling Frog, a company that specializes in THC-derived hemp seltzers.
While many might raise an eyebrow at the combination of sport and cannabis, Ross Campbell, vice president of business development for the Pickles, emphasized the team's history of progressive partnerships, saying that after their 2019 partnership with a CBD company, it wasn't long before larger leagues took similar steps. The team has ensured their compliance with Oregon's cannabis legislation by consulting with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission and Portland Parks and Recreation, as Oregon Live documents.
The nonalcoholic drinks will contain two milligrams of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, and four milligrams of CBD, known for its potential benefits in treating pain, anxiety, and epilepsy; these are key components in Cycling Frogs' seltzers, according to KGW8. Highlighting the choice these drinks offer over alcohol, Campbell said, "The Portland Pickles are excited to provide an alternative option for drinking alcohol or alternative beverages."
Fans can locate the THC-infused seltzers at three spots around the stadium, including The Jack Daniels Party Deck Bar and Dillon's Hideaway Bar, ensuring fans have ample access to try the new offerings, but as with any industry first, it remains to be seen how this will play out in the long term. Though unconventional, the endeavor reflects a wider trend in Oregon, where the sale of similar THC products is legal, as would be expected given the state's relatively liberal stance on cannabis. The sales have to abide by regulations set for business service, as this echoes the continuing evolution of sports concessions, traditionally domains of beer and hot dogs, into various taste profiles and consumer preferences.
